My good friend Kitty asked us in her latest blog post to write down three words you think of when you hear the word ‘disease’.
Here’s mine – sickness, broken, unwell.
For me, what it means to have “Parkinson’s Disease” has changed over time. For a large part of that time though, I have not felt sick. I don’t feel like I am ill.
I understand that the term ‘disease’ covers a range of things. But if I have “Parkinson’s Disease” that means I am sick for the rest of my life. It locks me out of wellness, forever.
Like Kitty, I’ve played around with ideas about how to refer to this thing that I live with. It may not seem like an important thing to be worried about, but actually what you believe about your reality is very powerful. And words affect that.
I too prefer “Dopamine Deficiency Disorder’. It refers to the fact that something doesn’t function the way it should, and names that thing – I lack dopamine. My brain doesn’t make it the way its supposed to. But it doesn’t condemn me to a future of being ill. It still allows me the possibility of being well, despite living with the fact that part of my system does not function quite right. I can live, and live well, with it.
Those of us who have Dopamine Deficiency Disorder ARE living with it.
Yes, yes I know – we are all dying of something. But before we die, there is life. I want to make the most of mine. I don’t want to have to go around telling people I am diseased, and believing that I am diseased.
How you focus your attention throughout life, plays an important role in shaping the growth of your brain. For the longest time humans thought that our brains are set and unchangeable once we’re adults. It turns out though that our brains can grow and change throughout life. Our brains are plastic – changeable through experience. It is possible, even with a brain dysfunction, to learn new things. At any age.
Playfulness and humour come out of learning new things, out of creative exploration. This is essential for feeling alive! Seeking novelty is fun! And if you’re not having fun, what really is the point?
I believe that learning about how the brain works is an important part of this. When we understand the brain, we can make positive choices and constructive changes to the way we live.
On that note, I recently discovered by pure chance, that March is Brain Awareness Month! I had no idea that this was a thing! I stumbled onto it while researching ways to better care for my brain.
Brain Awareness month is actually a global campaign to raise awareness of neurological conditions and bring to public attention the importance of brain research.
No one is talking about it though. It’s a pretty quiet brain awareness promotion if I’m really honest.
(It’s because this only affects old people, right?! – Kitty.)
So I’m off to come up with some fun ideas to promote understanding your brain. Coffee please!
Emma.
If you feel similar, if you need help or feel unhappy:
Reach out to your health professional, doctor, friend or family member. Please don’t allow yourself to feel alone and unhappy. There are people out there to help you.
Kitty Fitton is a motivational speaker, MC and comedian. She is also a full-time blogger and writer. She is mother to four small people and was very cross to discover she had Parkinson’s Disease.
Find out more at her personal site below.
Emma Kyriacou is a real-life ninja. Taking up Karate to help fight her Parkinson’s Disease, she’s co-founder of Good Moves and is passionate about promoting exercise to improve mobility and neuroplasticity. (Is that a word? It should be.)
Find out more at her personal site below.
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